Summer of Travel: Lessons We Should Learn From 2024
Whenever summer approaches, we think about getting a couple of days off work, long sandy beaches, sunshine, and maybe cocktails with little umbrellas in them. Those 10 days of vacation will recharge our batteries and help us relax and unwind. And that’s correct.
The summer of 2024 was no different because travelers just waited for June to arrive to start packing their bags. There were lots of people at the beaches, in the national parks, and in the airports. As the number of tourists increased, so did the number of scams and frauds. Many travelers had to learn that the hard way.
The Reason Behind So Many Vacations
When the pandemic of 2019 kept people locked inside their homes, everyone felt kind of down. Once that was over, people wanted things to return to how they were. The truth is that 2024 was a big year for returning to normal in the travel world. Unable to wait longer, travelers rushed to travel to domestic and foreign spots. They wanted to leave their houses and start seeing the world again.
Bookings set new highs for airlines, hotels, and the travel industry as a whole. U.S. airports had more people than ever before, and during busy travel weeks, TSA checks were at an all-time high. The fun and excitement of traveling was back, but so many travels also came with criminals who wanted to take advantage of people who weren’t careful.
Scams and Frauds That Ruined Some Vacations
You book a vacation to have fun and relax, right? Sadly, lots of people got their fun ruined because of scams and frauds. The more popular ones were:
Fake Rental Listings
Many travelers booked vacation homes that either didn’t exist or were already rented by someone else because of fake rental ads. Scammers would often use very convincing social media ads or highly developed websites to trick travelers into parting with their money.
Phishing Scams
Vacationers reported receiving airline or hotel emails requesting confirmation or additional fees. Many of these emails were linked to fake websites requesting the person to enter their personal and financial information.
Credit Card Skimming
Some tourists had their personal information stolen when they used ATMs or paid with cards in unfamiliar places because of skimming devices. These devices led to fraud and identity theft.
How to Avoid These Scams and Protect Yourself
The summer of 2024 brought both tears of joy and frustration for plenty of tourists. At least their experiences can be transformed into lessons about online safety. If you don’t want to have a vacation like that, here’s what you can do:
Use a VPN With a Dedicated IP Address
A VPN is one of the safest ways to use the internet while traveling. The first responsibility of a VPN is to encrypt your internet connection. This process makes it harder for hackers to steal your information. Choosing a dedicated IP VPN adds an extra layer of security because it gives you a unique IP address that no one else uses.
Use Reliable Booking Sites
When you book flights, hotels, or vacation rentals, only use websites or travel companies that you know and trust. Also, check out reviews from other guests to confirm that the place is actually real.
Enhance Travel Security with eSIM Technology
Another essential tool for today’s travelers is the eSIM, especially for those venturing abroad. The convenience of having an eSIM for travel means no more fumbling with physical SIM cards or paying exorbitant roaming fees. With an eSIM, you can easily switch between local carriers, ensuring that you always have access to affordable data and clear communication. This not only saves money but also provides peace of mind, knowing you’re always connected without the hassle of managing multiple SIM cards. As we continue to embrace the digital age, eSIMs are becoming increasingly important for any savvy traveler.
Be Careful of the Links You Click On
Don’t ever click on links in emails or messages that you didn’t ask for, especially if they ask for money or personal information. Instead, type the original website’s URL into your browser to check for any notifications.
